Vote for staff representatives to the UC Retirement System Advisory Board

UCnet |
May 21, 2015

University of California employees are invited to vote for new representatives on the UC Retirement System (UCRS) Advisory Board. Six UC employees are running for four-year terms in two open staff seats. The board meets three times each year to discuss issues pertaining to UC's retirement plans and shares ideas with UC Office of the President leaders.

All active, eligible UCRP members who are not part of the Academic Senate may vote, from May 19 through June 17. Final election results will be posted at the UCRS Advisory Board election website by the end of June.

Michael A. Fehr, computer resource specialist at UCLA: “In life there are few guarantees. This is why our pension is one of the most valuable benefits of being a UC employee.”

Craig R. Harmelin, assistant director, study abroad, at UC Merced: “My goals for my time on the UCRS Advisory Board include defending the best features of our pension, advocating for better post-employment benefits, identifying and developing tools to help UC staff and faculty take a more active role in their retirement planning.”

Naomi Nakamura, pharmacy technician 2, UCSF Medical Center: “I believe I would bring an important perspective to the UCRS Advisory Board as a UC employee on the “union” modified pension tier negotiated in 2013-14 by CNA, UPTE and AFSCME.”

Aman K. Parikh, health sciences associate clinical professor at UC Davis Medical Center: “I have seen how important retirement benefits are to all of us and how critical they are to ensuring we continue to have a robust UC community.”

Shirleyrae Reed, research administrator at UC Berkeley: “With numerous changes that take place on our campuses, I want to be a part of something where I can make a difference, not just for my self but for all employees at our universities.”

Brian A. Ross, senior educational facilities planner at UC Office of the President: “I am an informed investor who believes that our investment options in the 403(b), 457(b) and DC Plans should include low-cost, diverse index funds that provide an informative prospectus.”

How to cast a ballot

VR Election Services (VRES) is conducting the online election. VRES has more than 25 years experience conducting retirement board elections, including elections for many of the largest public retirement systems in the country.

Eligible UCRP members with UC email addresses will receive an email announcing that they are eligible to vote. The email will include a link to the e-ballot, a unique PIN and voting instructions. The PIN ensures that eligible voters cast only one ballot.

UCRP members without UC email addresses will receive a ballot and instructions in the mail at their home address. The election information will also include instructions and a PIN for voting online. The members can either mail in the paper ballot or vote online using the PIN provided in the election packet.

The 11-member UCRS Advisory Board is comprised of a cross-section of the university community. In addition to the two seats held by elected staff representatives, the board includes members appointed by the UC president, faculty appointed by the UC Academic Senate and the chairs of the Council of UC Emeriti Associations and the Council of UC Retiree Associations.

The advisory board meets three times a year to discuss and share its opinions with UC leadership on issues relating to all members, retirees and their beneficiaries for the following plans: